Printing-plate matrix and method of making the same



. I. YEDELL.

PRINTING PLATE MATRIX AND METHOD 0F MAKING THE SAME.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.2, |920.'

Patented May 24, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

S@ im BY g I Z ATTORNEYS W. I. YEOELL.

PRINTING PLATE MATRIX AND METHUD 0F MAKING THE SAME.

' APPLICATION FILED DEc.2,192o.

BY L7M", VIS/yd( ATTORNEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. YEOELL, OF PHILADELPHIA, FENNSYL'VAYITIA., ASSXG'NOR TCP JOH STOGDELL STORES, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANE..

PRNTINGr-ELATE MATRIX AND METHOD OF :MAKING- THE SAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 24, 1921..

original application filed August 12, 1913, Serial 1Q' o. 784,456. Divided. and this application. filed December 2, 1920.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, WILLIAM J. YnonLL,

'a citizen of the United States, and resident of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia andv State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Printing-Plate Matrices and Methods of Making the Same,- of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the art or printing, and the present case is directed to improvements in printing plate matrices and *constituent possess certain manifest advantages over other forms of these articles now in use. For example, the plastic phenolic condensation product may be readily and speedily molded to exact dimensions and under molding operation will accurately reproduce the iinest details and character- -istics of an original type form or of the matrix employed. Furthermore, after the phenolic condensation product, under `the action of molding heat and pressure, has undergone chemical reaction andr assumed its usual linal, hard and substantially infusible form, it produces a structure of great strength and durability which is capable of resisting stresses, strains and shocks incident to handling, transportation, pressure operations/and the like. ln addition such an article is not affected by acids or other cleansing fluids generally used in printing oiices for cleaning the printing equipment, and the article will have but a tractionl of the weight of a similar article made of metal and may be therefore advantageously mailed because of the lower rate of postage required.

It is also my purpose to provide a matrix for printing plates comprising, in a unitary structure, a replication of original printing characters as widely dili'erent as type an half tone plates.

Serial No. 427,833.

l also propose to provide a simple, efficient and economical method through the practice of which my matrices may be produced with a minimum expen-diture of time', labor and cost. f 1

With the above recited objects and others of alsimilar nature in view, my invention consists in the improved matrix and in the method of making the same set forth in and falling within the scope or the appended claims: y l

In the accompanying drawings: `Figure 1, is a plan view otra printin plate such as may be molded with my matrix.

Fig. 2, is a view of the plate in vertical section, on the line X2--X2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3,l is a cross sectional view of my preferred form of metal-faced matrix. Fig. y4, is a plan view, with parts broken away, illustrating the assemblage of the plate and matrix, and cooperating appliances at the time of molding a plate.

Fig. 5, is a cross sectional view taken on the line X--Xf of Fig. 4. i

Fig. 6, is afragmxentary detail view, in vertical section, on the' line X-XG of Fig.

4 and showing the final stage in the prepar-V ation of the plate-molding matrix.

Fig. 7, is a vertical sectional view taken through a type form and showing one of the preliminary steps of forming the matrix.

Fig. 8, is a view similar to Fig. 7 and showinganother step in the formation of the matrix.

Fig. 9, is a view in liront elevation showing conventionally a press and certain cooperative devices which may be used in producing my invention.

Fig. 10, is a `vertical sectional view of a i away,l and showing a modified arrangement Vfor producing a printing plate with the matrix of Figs. 13 and 14.

a combination of these, thus producing in the i 15` metal yface sheet characters complemental to the printing characters of the original type form. This metal face is backed up and the matrix finished as hereinafter described.

I then use this metal-faced matrix for molding my printing plate which, in its preferred form as herein set forth, comprises a metal f printing face backed by a body of a baked or hard and set phenolic condensation product. The printing plate may be made in a number of waysas by coating the moldT ing face of the matrix with a suitable material having a metalliferous content, as

example a paste containing a powdered zinc, and thereafter-.applying the phenolic condensation product in suitable commercial formeither powder or sheet to the coated surface of the matrixa'nd applying pressure and heatuntil'the phenolic condensation product has been molded to the desired contour and shows,I a metal printing face lincorporate therewith or formed thereon,

. the resultant printing face being in all respects'a negative replica ofthe matrix.

Reference will first be made to Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive `of the drawingsin order that an understanding of the preferred form of my invention may be had.

The complete printing plate which may be made with my matrix, is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 and embraces a body or base 1 of a non-metallic material such as a phenolic condensation product having a metallic face 2 which in the present instance contains areproduction of letters, shown at 24 and of a half tone as 'shown at 25, thus constituting a printing surface.

My preferred form of matrix is best shown in Fig. 3, and as illustrated comprises a metal sheet 4 having type forming depressions or intaglios 44 formed therein and separated by the convexly rounded inter-y stitial webs or elevations 46.

The metal sheet' 4 is also preferably formed adjacent its marginal edges 40 with the marginal beads 41.` The metal sheet 4, as thus formed constitutes the molding face of the matrix and is backed with a layer of fibrous material, such as blotting paper, as shown at 27.y This fibrous material is 'impregnated with a shellac or varnish as indicated at 29,-and the' exposed face of this sheet 27 is coated and leveled with a layer of hard and plastic material, such as plaster of Paris or the like, as shown at 16.

In making this metal-faced matrix I proceed as will best be understood by reference to Figs. 7 and 8. I provide a type form 22 carrying the .original printing element to be reproduced, such as a printing plate 23. This original printing plate may be made up, for example, of letter characters 24 which will ultimately be reproduced in the letters 24 of the molded printing plate -shown in Fig. 1, and the original plate may also contain a half-tone which will ultimately be reproduced in the half-tone printing surface section 25 `of said lmolded printing plate. Upon the original form thus constituted I place the metal sheet 4 which is .to be manipulated to form the molding face of the matrix. This sheet 4 may be in the nature of a thin layer of steel, brass, zinc, or other suitable-metallv which is capable of being rolled or forced into thel interstices of the original to be reproduced. Upon the metal plate 4 I then place a blanket of felt or other suitable material as shown at 26, and back this with a sheet of harder ma-l terial such as a smooth, calendar .cardboard indicated at 28. Parts thus assembled as shown in Fig. 7 are then passed through a that the printable quality of the molded plate to a great measure depends. To effect this sharpening ofthe intaglios or typef vforming depressions of the matrix face I remove the felt blankety 26 and the cardboard 28, and substitute therefor the fibrous sheet orblanket 27 impregnated with a sharpening medium such as varnish or shellac, as shown at 29, and as heretofore mentioned. The metal matrix sheet 4 is of course still upon the original `type form. The parts, assembled as shown in Fig. 8, are now passed through the roller press 30 with the result that the sheet or blanket 27 willdraw the thin sheet of metal 4 more closely over and into intimate relation with the corners of the printing characters of the original plate, thus reproducing faithfully all of the details and printing characteristics of the original plate 23. In addition to producing every salient characteristic of the original plate the matrix face will bel found to have against, and this matrix face will furthermore lend itself to the, ready coating with metalliferous paste or` the like which may be used for making the metal face of the molded printing plate. j

Following this second passage of the metal matrix face 4 through the roll press it will be found that the fibrous sheet or blanket 27 has been rolled or pressed into the back of the metal sheet, and this fibrous sheet 27 is permitted to remain to constitute a support for the metal face 4 and a constituent part of the complete matrix. I prefer to then apply tothe exposed face of the fibrous sheet 27 a layer of plastic material shown at 16, which may be composed of plaster of Paris for example, and which may be leveled and hardened to form a coating or back face for,

the complete matrix.

For the purpose of hardening, leveling and finishing the matrix after it has been coated with the plastic material 16, by the means of a knife or brush, I may employ the apparatus shown in Figs. 4, 5 and-6. 'Ihis apparatus, which is in the nature of a molding box, comprises av basepplate 80, preferably of copper, carrying "two rectangular frames, 'one imposed upon fthe other, and each formed of an L-shaped normally stationary section and an L-shaped shiftable section reversely positioned relative to the companion stationary section, together with short, removable connecting strips dovetailed with and ,connecting the companion sections of' each frame. The stationary section of the lower frame is shown at 48, the shiftable section at 78, and the dovetailed connecting strip at 77. The stationary section of the upper frameis shown at 58, the shiftable section thereof at 98 and the `connecting strip at 87, the dovetailed joints being indicated by the numerals 97. The upper frame is undercut to receive the lower frame, and to provide the depending shoulder 68 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Dowel pins 19 secure the stationary frame sections 48 and 58 to each other and tQthe base 80, and similar dowel pins also connect the shiftable sections of the upper and lower frames, as well as their dovetailed connecting strips to each other and to the base. When the box is to be used for a double column matrix, for

example, it will appear asshown in Fig. 4 with the ydovetailed connecting stri s in use and forming parts of the frame. ut when a single column article is to be accommopanion stationary sections until the companion frame sections are in contact, when a relatively narrow frame will be provided 1 as will be readily understood. The dowel pins may then be replaced in the shiftable sections to hold the latter against movement. A movable abutment bar 71, preferablyof steel, is provided, and has at its upper endan overhang 72 with a pin 7 3 adaptedto enter a selected hole74, of a series of holes arrangedalong the adjacent edge of the base 80. The lower end of the bar hasa similar overhang 75 with a set-screw 76 which can be selectively set in any one of a corresponding series of holes 7 9 along the bottom edge of the base 80. The abutment bar 71 aii'ords a rigid support against outward lateral displacement of the shiftable frame members,

and is operated in an obvious manner, by

loosening the set-screw, shifting the bar from one set of holes to another, and then again tightening the set-screw.

The upper frame member is provided with a series of abutment blocks 91 working in sockets 92 and tensioned by the springs 93 which normally thrust the upper portions of the blocks above the top face of the frame. The purpose of these blocks will be hereinafter described.

In leveling and finishing the matrix, the latter along with the original plate 23A is placed with the plastic back 16 of the matrix in contact with the waxed surface 88 of the base plate 80, the wax being employed to prevent the adherence of the plastic to the plate. In this position the original' plate 23 is uppermost, as shown 1n Fig. 6. The frames of the molding box are adjusted rand fastened so that the lower frame will confine the maitrix against lateral movement while the upper frame, through the shoulder 68 will rest upon and clamp the matrix lagainst vertical movement. A, plunger or pressure block 11 is then'` applied, With the recess 12 of the plunger receiving the original plate 23 .and the concave flange.

and in Fig. 9 I have shown one apparatus,

comprising a hydraulic press 50 having a piston 52 working in a' cylinder 54 connected by a conduit 56 with a. pump 60 ydriven by the belt 62 running to the shaft 34. The press is preferably provided with a suitable pressure indicator 57 and a controller 51, and I also provide suitable means for heating the press, such for example asA asteam boiler 70 heated by the gas burner 7 2a. The

,boiler is provided with a waterinlet 74a, a

safety valve 75, a pressure gage 76a and a conduit 77, for leading steam to the hollow head `59 of the press 50, this conduit having a controlling valve 7 8a. The nul meral 53 designates the bed platen of the press the matrix, th-e buffer or .abutment exerted. This marginal bead Vwill always -occupy .the same `position regardless of the v `extent of the characters44, so that when the als press while 'is a Y'table which may be conveniently located adjacent tol and vin fronit of the press. The matrix assembled in fthe molding box as before described is placed upon the platen ofthe press and the controller 51 operated to admit hydraulic pressure from the pump thro-ugh the conduitv`r 56 to the cylinder 54, which forces the piston 52 and Ithe platen 53 upward until the plunger 11 of the molding box contacts with the' press head 59 and is forced downward into the upper mold frame until the latter contacts with the press head thereby limiting the lextent to which the plunger can combocks 91 being depressed into their sockets by contact with the press head. The pressure of the concave flange of the plunger 11 against the metal face of the matrix will produce a standardizing marginal bead 41 upon the latter, as the fiber' sheet 27 at the back of the matrix face tends tol force the metal vvof the latter upwlard into the groove 13 of lthe plunger head, under the pressure printing plate material is forced against the. matrix bead in the operation of molding the printing plate, as illustnated in Fig. 5, the plate willbe given a concave marginal depression which serves as a guide to the operator in trimming the plate to the exact width desired and to form :the marginal 'edges of the plate as shown at 7 in Fig. l.

l The matrix/may be subjected to a suitable .degree of temperature .and pressure for desired lengthof time Ato produce the necessary leveling and baking or -finishing of such -l matrix.. lFor example with the steam'pres-v 1 sure of about 100 to 150 pounds in the boiler" I can secure temperatures of 'from 20O1 F., and upward on the press 50, while a corresponding hydraulic pressure offsay from '54 will` give satisfactory results, the vlaimere- 50'0poundsto I2500 pounds in the cylinder quired to f bake the consolidated material varying fro-m `2 to 15 minutes, in correspondl attained.A When the matrix has been prop- 1 erly baked and leveled the piston is lowered,

the base plate withdrawn members and the matrix, and after these parts have been placed on the table in front of the plate 28 arel removed to expose themolding face of the matrix 4.

When it is desirqed to make the moldedV printing plate shown in Fig. 1 the metal molding face of the matrix is provided with an additional' coating or layer of metallic material. For example thematrix face may with the frame..

press the plunger l1 and the original of the' upper frame of the moldingbox. ,In- 70 A stead of using the plunger 11 in making the plate, l substitute therefor a plunger 10 which lcomprises a block or platexof metal having a series of spaced V-shaped ribs 21 formedin its under surface. This plate is 75 laid in position as `shown inv Fig." 5 with the -V-shaped ribs projecting into the soft phenolic condensation product which at this time is in itsplastic or non-reacted state. The molding` box with the parts thus assem- 8o bled as shown in Fig. 5 is again placed upon the lower platen or bed of the press and the latter isl closed rto exert the necessary pressure, while at the same time heat is applied for a desired period and at a pre-determined temperature so that simultaneously with the molding of the plate the phenolic condensation material of the latter will undergo the well-known reaction to assume a hard and set form. As in the operation of making the matrix, the .baking of the ,printing plate can -be accomplished in a period varying from 5 minutes, or even less, to about 15 minutes, according to the conditions of heat and pressure found desirable, for different materials, a pressure of from 500 to 2500 pounds in the press, and a steam heating pressure of from to'150 pounds being satisfactory iny gen- Ier'al, with a corresponding temperature ranging from 200 F. upward. The action 1.00 of heat andpressure in the molding opera` tion will cause the metalliferous paste to assume a smooth, hard and homogeneous or sheet-like form and to intimately incorporate or unite with the phenolic condensation product forming the body of the plate, and at the same time the moldin face of the' matrix, even'l to the finest detail, will'be accurately and faithfully reversely duplicated or reproduced to form the printing face of the plate as shown in Fig. 1 for example; Incidentally `the V-shaped ribs 21 of the plunger 10 resting against the'back of the plate will. -produce in the latter V-shaped groovesl 12a, as shown in Fig. 2,' which will 115 make the plate lighter than if the rear surface were continuous, and this interruptionl of the surface also permits the plate to be more readily leveled or brought to the desired contour;

After the printing plate has been properly molded and baked or hardened and set the press may-be opened, and the base plate -80 l witli the assembled parts removed. Subse- Llquently, the plate may be cleared from the 125 matrix, trimmed and made ready for' use, in therprinting pressf It Willlbe noted that the construction of the molding box is such'that the plate may be readily removedl from the matrix, without disturbing the latter, this being accomlplished by simply dismantling or opening the upper frame while permitting the lower frame of the molding box to remain in position and confining the matrix. Thus any number of plates may be made without taking the matrix from the molding box.

If, in exceptional instances, the metallic matrix face 4 should adhere to the metal face 2 of the molded printing plate, the operator can readily strip off this face 4 asindicated in Fig. 11, thus clearing the metal surface 2 for printing purposes.

In some instances, however, it may be desirable to leave the sheet metal face 4 permanently in place upon the printing plate 1, this providing a sheet metal printing surface, as is shown in Fig. 10, but under ordinary circumstances I prefer to form the metallic printing face of the molded plate as yheretofore described.

In Fig. 12 I have illustrated a modified form of printing plate wherein the body portion 101 of non-conductive material, wholly, or chiefly, is provided with a metallic `printing surface 102 formed by the a the drawings by black line. The zinc layers electrodeposition of Zinc 103 upon one or both sides of a metal .foil 104, indicated in are shown of exaggerated thickness for the sakeof clearness. The zinc 108 may be, and preferably is deposited upon the foil 104 prior to the application of the latter to the form, the sheet thus provided having the advantages of softness and ductility when eniployed for plates of large size, a printing surface' composed thereof vpresenting the printing qualities of the original form of type and it. also possesses the concave interstitial web portions )126.

The several steps employed the pro-` duction of my improved matrix may be,

modified to suitvarious conditions. For example, referring to Figs. 13 and 14, I have shown an arrangement for'baking the matrix especially useful when it is desired to .furnishthe matrix face 4, with a backing 160 of" compressed and baked powderorl sheet material of substantial thickness. "In

this instance I may first make a matrix by imposing a mold' frame 180 upon the marl. gins 40 of the matrix molding face 4 which in Fig. l14 is shown in contact with the body of type 240 locked in the chase 220,"

the metal face 4 being hacked by the fibrous blanket 27 as before described. I then fill the space within the confines of the walls of the frame 180 with a phenolic condensation product backing material 160 of powder or sheet form and place a suitable plun-l ger 11a above the same. The parts thus assembled are placed in the press and there shown in Figs. 15 and 16 with the frame 180 reversed and imposed upon the base plate 80, containing plunger 11a., backing 160, blanket 27 and metal matrix face 4 in the order named', with the margins 40 of the matrix face extended over the frame 180 and the inta glios 44 presentedupwardly. Thereupon the upper sectionA 188 o-f the mold frame, is superimposed upon the margins 40 of the matrix face sheet 4, the latter. then provided with a coating 5 of metalliferous paste, as already described, and the plate blank material 106, in powdered or sheet'forfm, is introduced into the cavity of the mold frame member 188, the lplunger 10 placed in position, and the parts thus assembled are again compressed in the press 50 to mold and set the plates after which the partsmay be dismantled and the now molded printing plate removed as heretofore described. Of course the plate blank material is molded and set under heat and pressure as has been heretofore mentioned.

In Fig. 17 I have shown still a further modification in preparing a matrix for the printing plate. In thisY instance the numeral 45 indicates a metal sheet forming the molding face of the matrix, while 46- ,upon the metal sheet 45. Within the mold frame 18, resting upon the' base plate 80, is placed a bed or body of backingpowder, the wax; 88 preventing the adherence of the powder to the plate 80. The metal sheet 45 carrying the original form or plate 46 is placed in contact with the backing powder, with the marginal edges 49 clamped between the frame 18 and the frame 38. A plunger block 90 is now inserted within the frame 38 and the parts thus assembled' are subjected to heat and pressure, as through the agency of the press shown in Fig. 9, to complete the formation of the matrix. Whenjthe matrix is thus backed, it is only necessary to remove the plunger 90 and the original form o-r plate 46, when the intaglio side of the matrix will be exposed within the frame 38 inposition ready to be coated or molded matrix comprising in a unitary.

structure a replication of original printing Icharacters as widely different as type and y half-tone plates, an achievement,ywhich,rso

far as I am aware,.has not been attained lheretofore in matrices for molding printing plates for the reason that the original half-tone surface presents interstices of but c material into the type original must vbe applied differently from that used in forcing the' material of the matrix into the ,halftonezoriginal. y

By'putting the metal matrix face through y the operations with the use of the blankets' las herein described I am enabled to secure with equal pressure, in the matrix face, a

"' duplication of both half-tone and type or,

line characters, and then I can produce from this matrix, with equal pressure, a molded printing plate embodying in a unitary structure both line and dot surfaces, and of equal thickness throughout their extent.

If desired, the metal molding face of the matrix may, upon occasion be stripped from the backing 27, and thegrposed impressed face o-f the latter may beused as a matrix as its formed or impressed'turface will be found to be smooth and sharp, owing to the continuous metallic face sheet with which it has been impressed.

At times it will be found advantageous to form more `than a single sheet metal molding face, and this may be readily done either by rollingl a plurality of metal sheets4 between the type form and` blankets, as heretofore described, 4or theextra metal faces fmay be formed at a later stage either by forcing a sheet of metal into the intaglios of a matrix face 4, 'or byimpressing a blank metal sheet into the impressed surface of a blanket 27, from which a molded metal face suheet 4, has been removed.

In making such additional molding Iface sheets or replicas the appliancesshown in Figs. 7 andS may be used to work up the sheet metal gradually.

/st'ance applied to the back of the sheet metal What Iclaim is: j l. A matrix for making printing plates comprisingV a sheet metal molding4 face, a fibrous blanket treated with a shellac submolding face, and a` layer` of hard cementitious material applied tol the back of th'e blanket, said blanket and hard cementitious layer forming a backing for the sheet metalm molding face. l

2. A matrix forfmaking printing plates comprising a sheet metal face, a blanket of fibrous material secured thereto, and a backing of phenolic condensation product con face to form a unitarystructure having a non-metallic body with a metal molding face.

3. A matrix for making printing plates comprising a metallic molding face. and a backing including a cementitious material which under chemical reaction will assume a and non-type forming elevationsth'erein and a backing therefor including a hard infusiy ble phenolic condensation body.

5. matrix for-'making printing plates comprising a metallic molding face having a backing composed of fibrous material and a synthetic resin product.

6. A4 matrix for making printing plates comprising a metallic facing sheet having a moldingl face formed with type-forming de-V comprising librous material and a synthetic resin product.

. 8. A matrix for making orinting plates i comprising a sheet-metal molding face and a backing' including4 a cementitious material united thereto in integral formation by a process involving chemical reaction of said cementitious material.

9. A mold comprising a sheet-metal mld-v I ing face having type-forming depressions and non-type forming elevations therein, and

a backing therefor including a hard infusi,- ble phenolic condensation body united, in i11- tegral formation with said sheet-metal molding face. p

forming a matrix for printing plates from a compositesheet of metal and a plastic material which is capable of chemical reaction to assume'a hard and set form, the step which consists in subjecting said sheet to heat while against the type body or the like to form type-formingdepresslons and non-type forming elevations on' the metal section of lthe sheet and to cause the plastic material to assume a hard, :set condition.

l1. In the herein described method composite sheet, including a facing sheet and a plastic materialcapable of chemical reaction to assume a hard and set form under heat, the step which consistsin subjecting said sheet' to heat against the type body or the like to formtype-forming depressions 10. In theiherein describedl method ofl nof forming a matrix for printing plates from a nera/eea and non-type forming elevations in the facn ingsheet and to cause the plastic material to assume a hard, set condition and to constitute a backing for the facing sheet.

l2. 'lhe herein described method of making a printing plate matrix Which comprises rolling a thin metallic sheet in Contact with a type body to reproduce in the face of said sheet printing intaglio characters complemental to the relief characters of the type body and with rounded interstitial web portions between the characters, applying a blanket of fibrous material to the back of the metallic sheet, applying a layer of cementitions material to the back of the librous sheet and then Subj ecting the parts thus assembled to heat and pressure to unite such parts in a unitary structure and to harden and set the cementitious backing layer.

13. A. composite sheet including a metallic facing layer, and a support therefor, comprising a layer of phenolic condensation product.

lll. composite sheet for use in the printing art comprising fiber substance, metallic material and a hard synthetic resin product.

15. A composite sheet including a ber body, metallic material and a phenolic condensation product.

16. A composite sheet including a sheetmetal facing and a supporting layer therefor, comprising a phenolic condensation product.

Signed at Philadelphia in the county of Philadelphia and State of loennsylvania this 2nd day of November A. D. 1920.

WlLL'lAM J. YEOELL. 

